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Saturday 27 September 2014

Swindon STW & Salisbury Plain 13th-14th September 2014

Quick highlights of two great days out ringing...

Swindon STW: We had a really early start this morning but was well worth it. The absolute highlight was a 3M (meaning juvenile male) Sparrowhawk that made its way into one of the nets. I was very lucky and was able to ring it under great supervision due to its piercing talons. Its amazing attributes gave us fantastic photographic opportunities

My awful grin tells you a lot! Here is what we ringed through the morning, the amount of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were astonishing! Blackcap 143, Chiffchaff 64, Sedge Warbler 11, Reed Warbler 8, Whitethroat 8, Willow Warbler 2, Dunnock 6, Robin 6, Wren 3, Great Tit 1, Long Tailed Tit 2, Reed Bunting 1, Stock Dove 1, Woodpigeon 3, Sparrowhawk 1, Black Headed Gull 2, Green Sandpiper 0 (1). Thanks to http://www.wiltshirebirds.co.uk/ringing/north-wilts-group.html thanks for the info.  

I ringed around 40 birds and extracted at least 10 (mostly Blackcaps).

Salisbury Plain: After a Wryneck being caught here the week before I knew it was a fantastic site. 190 Blackcaps the week before is also an amazing feat!  I wasn't disappointed with 4 new brilliant birds being ringed through the day.The star bird being a smart Whinchat...


Another 3M Sparrowhawk was another surprise.  We ringed another 200+ birds today so very successful. I also experienced a new ringing technique by chasing in Meadow Pipits  through a tape lure, we caught over 40 birds including a control! Thanks to my trainer Matt Prior for all of this also Paul Aubrey, Paul Wexler and Simon Wicks.


4 comments:

  1. What an amazing ringing session!

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  2. I agree with Ellis , what an awesome session

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  3. Thanks guys, it was a truly amazing session

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